Metchosin
A rural coastal community of fewer that 5,000 residents, Metchosin is home to many small vegetable, poultry and sheep farms and a number of artists, carvers, potters and various other artisans. Metchosin has maintained its peaceful rural nature despite being located next to rapidly expanding Langford. This can be attributed to a municipal bylaw imposing a minumum of 1 and 2 acre lots. Metchosin is popular among tourist and locals for its scenic natural sites including Matheson Lake, Witty's Lagoon and Albert Head.
The name Metchosin is an anglicised vesion of the native Smets-Schosen, which means "place of stinking fish". It is said that many years prior to European arrival an orca beached itself and died and that everywhere it could be smelled became part of Metchosin. Evidence of native inhabitants can be seen in the form of petroglyphs in East Sooke Park.
The commercial heart of Metchosin, the Village Center, is located at the intersection of Happy Valley Road and Metchosin Road and offers arious stores, a restaurant and a school.